Washoe County NV Archives Obituaries.....Larcombe, Davy October 1882
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/nv/nvfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Kathy Grace http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002598 January 3, 2011, 9:13 pm

Reno Evening Gazette October 6, 1882
The Larcombes
The Bodies of Father and Son Recovered Yesterday
Yesterday afternoon while George Teasland was collecting and ragging out drift
wood at the boom on the river, a short distance below the Virginia street
bridge, he saw something which attracted his attention more than any ordinary
floating object would, but he at first had no idea that it was a human body. 
Yet it proved to be such.  Upon inspection it proved to be the remains of Davy
Larcombe, who, with his father, was drowned several weeks ago while crossing the
Truckee near the head of the Highland ditch.  Messrs. Bremer and Neale were at
the spot a few moments after the discovery and removed the body to Neediman’s
furniture store.  It was readily identified as Davy Larcombe’s remains by the
clothing, and there being no possibility of mistake in this respect Coroner
Dickens deemed an inquest unnecessary.
The Father Found.
About half past 5 o’clock last evening O. W. Ayer went with his little boy,
Leland, to a boom he has extending out into the river, a little way above the
damn, to throw out a lot of drift wood that it had caught.  Almost the first
thing that caught the boy’s eye was the body of John Larcombe lying close to the
boom timbers.  The body was on its face with the feet and legs under the boom. 
The clothing was hardly torn at all and the boots, suspenders, and all were on.
 Mr. Ayer went at once for the undertaker and Mr. Sanders soon drove up.  He
took the remains out of the water and placed them in a coffin.  The funeral of
both father and son took place to-day at 2 o’clock.  It is a mournful
satisfaction to the friends, but still a great one, to know where the poor
bodies lie, and be able to give them proper attention.
S. Beemer today buried bodies in one casket.  The funeral services were held at
Trinity church.


Daily Nevada State Journal
October 7, 1882
Incidents of the Recovery of the Larcombe Bodies
The funeral interment of the Larcombe bodies took place yesterday afternoon at
two o’clock, and many sympathizing friends followed the remains to the grave. 
The circumstances of the finding of both bodies were peculiar and peculiarly
sad.  The body of the boy was first discovered inside a boom nearly opposite
Fogus’ new mill, and two hours after the body of the father was recovered from a
boom belonging to Nate Kendall, situated up near the swimming grounds.  From the
condition of the bodies when found, it was evident that when the father and son
fell in the water, they grasped each other in a death grasp, the father with a
frantic clutch.  Such, at least is the supposition of competent authorities. 
The bodies must have drifted down the stream for quite a distance until the
recent rise of high water, consequent on the rainfall, when, the clasped bodies
from knocking against the rocks and banks parted from each other, and were
recovered within a half mile of each other.  It is curious that a boom caught
the bodies in both instances; and it entirely upsets the theory long prevalent
about Lake Tahoe and Truckee river water that drowned bodies never rise to their
surface.  A Journal reporter was present at the spot when both bodies were
recovered from the water, and both of them floating.  The booms contained quite
an amount of floating chips and logs and it is a wonder how the bodies could
have been distinguish among the floating debris.  They looked exactly like
pieces of timber and owing to the discoloration of the clothing by long
immersion in water, it would ordinarily take an expert to distinguished a human
body.  Their recognition was solely due to the fact that proprietors of the
booms use a rake to drag in the debris.  The heaviness of the bodies attracted
attention and resulted in their first being recognized.  When the boy was first
found between the two bridges, the news spread like wildfire throughout the
entire town.  Before fifteen minutes had elapsed, at least twenty men, woman and
children were assembled on the river bank awaiting the arrival of the Coroner. 
It was a sad sight- there was the little nine-year-old boy lying face downward
in the water, with his clothes on a pair of shoes.  Every portion of his body
that was unprotected by clothing was remorselessly attacked by the fishes and
birds.  The body of Mr. Larcombe was in a similar state and was found in the
upper boom.  The thoughtful kindness of friends and relatives prevented Mrs.
Larcombe from viewing the remains of her loved ones, though she insisted to the
last on being allowed that privilege.  As a bystander appositely remarked: “As
human beings we are doomed to death.  When our loved ones die under repugnant
circumstances and their remains are unpleasant to the senses, it is far greater
charity to restrict the mother to her last view of her child, and not permit her
to witness the destruction of the grave.  Let her cherish in the memory the
image of her boy or girl as she last saw and kissed them.”


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nv/washoe/obits/larcombe1702gob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/nvfiles/

File size: 5.5 Kb